Mudchute Park and Farm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mudchute Park and Farm |
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Sheep in a field on the farm, with Canary Wharf visible behind
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| Type | City Farm |
| Location | Isle of Dogs, London |
| Open | Daily |
| Website | https://www.mudchute.org |
Mudchute Park and Farm is a huge park and farm in Cubitt Town, which is on the Isle of Dogs in London. It's located just south of the tall buildings of Canary Wharf. This special place is known as a Local Nature Reserve and is important for nature conservation. It's a great spot to see animals and enjoy green spaces right in the city!
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What You Can Find at Mudchute
Mudchute Park and Farm is managed by a group called the Mudchute Association. This group is a registered charity. Their main goal is to look after the park and farm. They make sure the animals and wildlife are safe. They also welcome visitors and help train staff.
The park covers about 13 hectares (which is about 32 acres). This makes it one of the biggest urban farms in Europe! You can see many different farm animals here.
The Mudchute DLR station is named after the park. It opened in 1987. However, the closest train station to the park is actually Crossharbour DLR station.
The Story Behind the Name
The name "Mudchute" might sound a bit funny. It comes from how the land was created way back in the 1860s. At that time, the Millwall Dock was being built. Workers needed somewhere to put all the extra mud and dirt. They used a special system to pump the mud through a pipe. This pipe "shot" the mud onto the nearby land. That's how the name "Mudchute" came about!
This system was designed by an engineer named Frederic Eliot Duckham. His son, Alexander Duckham, later started a famous oil company. The mud used to smell quite a bit, but it helped create the land we see today.
Mudchute's Past
Before it was a farm, the land had many different uses. The Millwall Dock Company owned a lot of land on the Isle of Dogs. They planned to expand the docks one day. Until then, they mostly rented out the land for animals to graze. This included the area that became Mudchute.
A Football Stadium on the Mudchute
Around 1890, part of the Mudchute land was flat and solid. A man named William Clark decided to build an athletics stadium there. It was used for football, cricket, and tennis. It also had tracks for running and cycling. This stadium became the home of the Millwall Athletic football team. Today, an Asda supermarket stands on that spot.
In 1901, the dock company wanted their land back. They needed it to store timber. So, the football team had to find a new home. They moved to an area that is now known as Millwall Park.
Mudchute During World War II
During World War II, the Mudchute played an important role. A higher part of the land became a site for four large anti-aircraft guns. These guns were used to defend London from enemy planes. They were controlled by Radar to track the planes.
The period known as The Blitz started on September 7, 1940. During this time, parts of the gun site were damaged. Sadly, many people on the Isle of Dogs lost their lives during the Blitz.
From War Site to Community Farm
After the war, the Port of London Authority (PLA) owned the Mudchute. It was used for different things. There was a football pitch and a large shed for cattle. There were also allotment gardens where people could grow their own food. A big playground was also there for local children.
In the early 1970s, the PLA decided to close the Millwall Docks. They wanted to give the Mudchute land to the Greater London Council (GLC) for new houses. But the local community had other ideas! They started a successful campaign. They wanted the land to be a public, open space for everyone.
Because of their efforts, a new group called the Mudchute Association was formed. They leased the land from the Tower Hamlets Borough Council. In 1977, the Mudchute Park and Farm was officially created. It has been a wonderful place for animals, nature, and people ever since!
Images for kids
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Sheep in a field on the farm, with Canary Wharf visible behind
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A decommissioned QF 3.7-inch anti-aircraft gun on display at the farm
